Kaitaia's child abuse problem not unique

Parents in Kaitaia have every right to feel apprehensive following the arrest last week of a businessman on 17 charges involving the sexual abuse of boys, according to ECPAT Child ALERT director Allan Bell, although its recent experiences were not unique.

He made his comments after the "prominent businessman" appeared before Kaitaia District Court last week. The accused entered no plea and was remanded in custody, for a second appearance today.

His arrest by police in Kaitaia was the third in quick succession. Former school teacher James Parker, who had been the deputy principal at Pamapuria School until his arrest, is due to appear in Kaitaia District Court on Thursday next week for sentence on 49 convictions of sexually abusing boys, while 63-year-old church pastor Eric Reid was in the District Court at Kaikohe yesterday for call-over on sex-related offences involving two women, one of them a teenager.

"This is of grave concern to this provincial town, and parents have every right to be feeling apprehensive," Mr Bell said.

"It is particularly disturbing to have people in positions of trust betraying the faith that people place in them. Schools, churches and places of business should be the places where children are considered to be safe and taken good care of.

"When child abuse occurs in these situations the confidence of the public, and parents in particular, is damaged, and doubt and suspicion replace trust and respect."

Last month the Government released its White Paper for Vulnerable Children, outlining a plan that included the introduction of a Vulnerable Children's Bill containing provisions requiring agencies working with children to place the child's interests "at the centre". It would also introduce legislation for Child Abuse Prevention Orders to keep children safe from abusers who posed a risk to children.

"The cases reported in the North are indicative of a wider problem in New Zealand," Mr Bell added.

"The sexual abuse of children is not restricted to any one geographic area and the offenders cover a wide spectrum of society. It is time for everybody to become aware of this crime against our most vulnerable and play a part in preventing the abuse of children.

"The Government needs to lead, but if we want to see New Zealand as a safe place for children to grow up in we must all take on some responsibility, especially those placed in positions of trust in caring for children."

The man arrested last week did not seek and was not granted a suppression order when he appeared on Thursday afternoon. An application was subsequently made on Monday, after he had been identified by a number of newspapers and on the internet. The fact that the order had been granted, without a hearing, was not communicated to the Northland Age until Tuesday morning, after that day's edition had been released. Editor.